Democratic Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek defeated Republican U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson in Iowa’s Nov. 3 Senate race, flipping the seat held by retiring Republican Sen. Joni Ernst and helping Democrats take control of the Senate [npr.org][cbsnews.com][9news.com]. Turek, a former Paralympic wheelchair-basketball player, is the first Democrat elected to the Senate from Iowa since 2008 [npr.org][9news.com]. Iowa had backed President Donald Trump by 13 percentage points in 2024, but farmers faced pressure from tariffs and higher fuel costs as the war with Iran drove up diesel prices [cbsnews.com][npr.org]. Turek focused on health care and affordability, attacking Hinson’s support for Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which NPR said cuts Medicaid spending nationwide by nearly $1 trillion [npr.org]. Hinson, who initially promised to be Trump’s “top ally” in the Senate, later emphasized her bipartisan credentials while criticizing aspects of the president’s approach to the war [cbsnews.com][9news.com]. Turek campaigned on working across party lines; he will take office when the 120th Congress convenes in January [tmj4.com][nypost.com]. Highlights: • Campaign spending: The candidates raised more than $30 million combined, according to federal spending data cited by NPR. Outside groups contributed more than $100 million to the race, according to OpenSecrets [npr.org]. • Wider Iowa shift: Democrat Rob Sand won the governor’s race, and Democrats also defeated Republican U.S. Reps. Zach Nunn and Mariannette Miller-Meeks; Democrat Lindsay James won the House seat Hinson vacated [9news.com]. • Voter concerns: An Associated Press voter survey found about seven in 10 Iowa Senate voters were angry or dissatisfied with the country’s direction; roughly half said government corruption was crucial to their congressional vote, compared with about four in 10 who said the same about the cost of living [9news.com]. • Farm endorsements: The Iowa Farm Bureau and Iowa Corn Growers Association endorsed Hinson, while the Iowa Farmers Union endorsed Turek; Turek said his party had neglected farmers [alternet.org]. • Close polling: An October Emerson survey showed Hinson at 47% and Turek at 45%, after Hinson polled at 50% in September; the Cook Political Report rated the contest a toss-up [alternet.org]. Perspectives: Josh Turek: Turek urged voters to see him as distinct from the Democratic Party’s national image [alternet.org]. (AlterNet) Ashley Hinson: Hinson said a congressional resolution limiting President Trump’s authority to continue military action would not help him bring the Iran war to an immediate and successful end [9news.com]. (9News (Associated Press)) "They told me it was impossible to win this Senate race, but tonight, Iowa, we have once again proved that the impossible is possible." — Iowa state Rep. Josh Turek Sources: • Democrat Josh Turek wins the Senate seat in Iowa - npr.org • Democrat Josh Turek wins election to U.S. Senate from Iowa - seattletimes.com • Democrat Josh Turek wins Iowa Senate race - cbsnews.com • Democrats flip Senate as Josh Turek dunks Ashley Hinson in Iowa race - nypost.com • Josh Turek Flips Iowa Senate Seat in a Major Victory for Democrats - nytimes.com • Iowa Senate race projected to flip to Democrat Josh Turek - alternet.org • Democrat Josh Turek wins election to US Senate from Iowa - 9news.com • Democrat Josh Turek flips Iowa Senate seat in major upset - tmj4.com • Democrat Josh Turek wins election to the US Senate from Iowa as Democrats win US Senate - startribune.com • Democrat Josh Turek flips Iowa Senate seat - indiavision.com • Democrats win governor, senate race in Iowa - krdo.com • Josh Turek wins Iowa 2026 Senate election, CBS News projects, flipping seat for Democrats - cbsnews.com • Iowa US Senate race election results: Who won between Ashley Hinson and Josh Turek? - 9news.com • Demokratene vinner i Iowa – sikrer kontroll over Senatet - nrk.no • ELECTION 2026: Josh Turek wins Iowa’s US Senate race - kaaltv.com • Democrats flip Republican seat in Iowa: Josh Turk defeats Ashley Hinson - ynetnews.com • El demócrata Josh Turek, un medallista paralímpico en silla de ruedas, se impone en la conservadora Iowa - elpais.com • Успех на Демократите в Айова: Взеха първо сенаторско място от десетилетие - actualno.com --- 📰 Story aggregated by Kagi News